Window to the mind

An artwork that reimagines the familiar form of eyewear through the uncompromising language of Brutalism. Cast in concrete and reduced to bold geometric forms, the work transforms an object traditionally associated with clarity and vision into something monumental, architectural and deliberately confronting.

The openings become windows—framing fragments of the world while simultaneously obscuring it. The weight and permanence of concrete contrast with the intimacy and delicacy of something designed to be worn on the face.

Australian-born Clayton Blake is a multidisciplinary installation artist known for his large-scale works that blend elements of architecture and sculpture. His practice focuses on adapting everyday objects and materials to specific artistic and spatial contexts. Blake uses a diverse range of materials to create immersive, contemporary installations that challenge perception and provoke reflection. He constructs expansive works that respond to or reflect their environments, whilst challenging and distorting the viewer's preconceptions of structures and space.

Through his practice, he seeks to expand the definition of art to include new forms of social engagement. He uses his art to promote discussion, encourage debate, and raise awareness about injustice, inequality and social change. A student of contemporary sculpture and a creator of thought-provoking forms, Blake draws inspiration from brutalist architecture and utilitarian modernist design. His works have been exhibited internationally, including at Burning Man, engaging audiences through scale, material, and meaning.

For the project, Clayton Blake pays tribute to Brutalist architecture, the post-war movement that emerged in the United Kingdom in the 1950s. Brutalist buildings are characterised by minimalist construction techniques that showcase bare building materials and structural elements over decorative design. The Brutalist style commonly makes use of exposed concrete, angular shapes, and a predominately monochrome colour palette.